Solar Energy: The Basics

The amount of annual sunshine enjoyed by The Golden State makes this a darn-near perfect state to embrace solar energy! In fact, the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard is helping push the state toward operating at least 50 percent on renewable resources by the year 2050. And, given how much sunshine the state sees, it makes perfect sense that a majority of that renewable energy will come from solar power. But, if you are new to the world of renewable energy options, solar power can easily seem too good to be true. In a world where “too good to be true” usually ends up being accurate, solar energy is the rare exception to the rule. It is an affordable renewable energy option that can provide some pretty major advantages to homeowners and businesses alike. So, how does it work?

A solar power system is, at the most basic, a way of absorbing the sun’s rays and converting that into usable energy. A solar panel is comprised of several photovoltaic cells, also called PV cells or solar cells. The average solar panel for a residential home will have around 60 PV cells contained within. These solar cells are what absorb the sun’s rays to produce energy, in much the same way that a plant will absorb sunlight and convert the energy to make food for itself. Solar panels are linked together to create a solar array; when connected to an inverter, the energy stored in the solar cells is turned into the correct type of energy current for your home to use. Depending on your home and where you live, you will likely need somewhere between 10 and 20 solar panels to produce enough energy to power your home. The number will depend on several factors including how much sun your home gets, how energy efficient your home is, and how much power your family uses in a given month.

Sounds pretty simple, right? In essence, all you have to do to power your home with sunshine is get a solar array installed and wait for the sun to shine. Of course, there are a few more factors than this. Choosing where to place your solar panels, how many you need, financing your solar array, and finding financial incentives are all components of going solar that call for careful consideration so you can make the most of your system. Fortunately, the RGS Energy team has been in the solar business for nearly 40 years now. It’s pretty safe to say that we have the experience to guide you through the process step by step. Want to learn more? Start by learning more about how solar works, and how it can save you money on your energy bill. The RGS Energy team is more than happy to answer all the questions you have, so give us a call!

Get more information before making your decision. Learn more from the RGS Energy team

The Benefits of Going Solar: Savings For Yourself and The Planet

If you pay any attention to the news, it is likely you have heard arguments about the need for more sustainable methods of powering our homes, our vehicles, and our lives as a whole—especially in a state as eco-friendly as California. Coal, petroleum, and the other major resources we currently rely on for power come from non-renewable sources, and one day, those resources will run out. In addition, many of the current means for producing power are derived from fossil fuels, which emit environmentally harmful byproducts. There is a very good reason that so many lawmakers and other public figures are encouraging everyone to make the switch and begin using renewable resources like solar power. If that is not enough, there are also plenty of financial benefits that come along with switching over to solar. For those of you still on the fence, here are a few of the biggest benefits that come along with switching to solar power:

Financial

One of the biggest myths we hear time and time again is that purchasing a solar array is too expensive for the average household. Back in the early days of solar, when the cost was nearly $100 per watt, that might have been the case; however, that was the late 1970s, when RGS Energy was just getting started and solar was still considered new technology. Today, the average cost of a solar array is only around $5 per watt, and that will get you a larger solar panel set-up than it would have in the 70s. And, since there are options to take out a loan rather than pay for your solar array up front, solar panel systems have become much more affordable for the average American household.

That’s not all, though. On top of the greater affordability, there are a wealth of other financial savings that go hand in hand with switching to solar power. First, there are the grants, tax breaks, and other financial incentives. Lawmakers, activists, and even many privately owned organizations want as many people as possible to switch to renewable and eco-friendly power production methods like solar power, so there are a wealth of additional financial incentives to help offset the cost of your solar array.

That still isn’t everything! The other big financial perk of going solar is the system itself. Historically, the cost of energy has only gone up. So, even without any other financial perks, switching to solar can help you save money. The monthly cost of a solar panel system is generally lower than the average household’s monthly utility bill. A solar power system will reduce your monthly electric bill to a negligible amount, if you owe anything—often, in fact, your solar array may produce more energy than your home needs. If that happens, your electric company may end up owing you!

Environmental

Now that we have your attention with the financial side of things, there is one other major element to consider: the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, around 85 percent of the nation’s power production is done with non-renewable resources. That means less than 15 percent of our power comes from any renewable resource; that list includes hydroelectric, solar, geothermal, and more. And, as of December 2014, solar power accounts for .2 percent of all energy production in the country. Imagine the difference that could be made if we could increase renewable power source usage to California’s projected 50 percent! Every family and business that switches to solar power is slowly reducing our nation’s dependence on fossil fuels and the harmful by-products that involves. As you have likely noticed, a solar panel system relies on a completely renewable source to create power: the sun. There are no harmful by-products that come along with an solar panel system, and the average lifespan of a solar array is 20 years (and growing)!

With so many benefits for your family and for the environment, switching to solar seems like a no-brainer. Get all the details before making your decision. Contact RGS Energy and work with an experienced Energy Broker to determine how many solar panels your home needs, calculate your cost, find financial incentives, and ask any questions you have. Start by clicking the banner below to learn more about our California solar panel system options!

Help save the earth and save money; go solar with RGS Energy!

Our California Solar Installation Services

With rising energy prices affecting nearly every person in this country, an increasing number of Americans are looking for affordable, efficient ways to save money on their monthly energy bill. Since 1978, RGS Energy has been helping people discover the wonderful world of solar energy and we have made it our mission to bring clean, affordable energy to residents of California.

RGS Energy provides the following solar services to California residents:

Solar Panel Installation

Lifelong Maintenance Services

Solar Panel Cleaning

Solar Panel Financing Options

We are a full service solar energy company. If you have any questions about how we can help you, give us a call today at 877-747-4338!

Why is RGS Energy the Best Choice For Solar Panel Installation?

Since 1978, RGS Energy has been a leading provider of solar panels in the United States, providing services to every state in the Union. We are here to make sure that every homeowner in America has the knowledge, tools, and resources that they need in order to take advantage of the monetary savings that solar energy can provide for their home. Our expert staff, through decades of combined experience, are highly trained in solar panel installation and repair procedures and, even better, have a passion for providing people with access to clean, renewable energy.

This experience and dedication to our craft make us your number one choice in California for any and all solar energy needs.

Contact us today to get started on your journey to energy independence!

A Proven Solar Energy Provider

With a history dating back to 1978, our company evolved from a small solar panel provider, known as Real Goods Trading Company, into one of the nation’s leading providers of solar panels and solar installation services. Comprised of specially trained technicians, friendly staff and field employees as well as a highly competent management team, RGS Energy strived to meet the expectations and needs of each and every one of our clients in supplying solar energy arrays that will be able to provide a home with clean energy for decades to comes.

At the rate energy demands are growing in the United States, we at RGS Energy feel that solar power will quickly become one of the easiest and most efficient ways for people to not only save money on their monthly power bill, but also make sure that they are doing their part to fight the harmful effects of global warming. To meet this goal, we provide a series of solar services that can help you transition into the world of solar energy.

RGS Energy Provides Professional Solar Panel Installation Services

When it comes to installing solar panels on a home, no matter the size, it is important that you choose a company that is able to provide a premium service. Installing solar panels isn’t just about putting some panels on top of a roof and connecting them to a home’s electrical network. Solar panels must be placed in a precise alignment and direction in order to maximize that potential solar energy that is captured within a given day. Additionally, support for the panels must be precisely calculated in order to make sure that no damage is caused to the roofing material or the structural beams that help to support the underboarding of the roof.

If you are interested in learning more about our solar panel installation services for California residents, contact us today at 877-747-4338.

Solar Panel Maintenance Services Provided By RGS Energy

Our highly trained technicians are able to provide fast, reliable, and professional solar panel maintenance services. While the goal of owning a solar panel array is to have an easy, reliable form of additional energy production in the home, it is also imperative to make sure that the panels are kept in as good a condition as they can be. Through our maintenance services, we here at RGS Energy will make sure that your solar array is functioning as optimally as possible at all times so that you can rest assured you are not losing out on solar energy that could be converted to usable, sustainable energy for your home.

When you are in need of a solar company that can get to the bottom of your maintenance issues quickly, rely on the specialists at RGS Energy to get the job done right.

A Passion For Reliable, Affordable, and Functional Solar Energy

The goal of any solar panel installation is to provide a home with access to the nearly limitless potential of turning the sun’s rays into energy thavt can be used to power a home. This goal not only requires a company that is able to invstall solar panels and wire them into a home’s main electrical grid, but also a company that takes the time to make sure that the solar array is optimized as perfectly as possible. A focus on professional and precise installation goes a long way in making sure that the solar array is able to perform its job to the best of its ability and, what’s more, helps to make sure that the solar array is able to provide consistent performance over the entirety of its life span. Rely on RGS Energy to be able to provide your California home with this service.

If you would like to see what our current customers are saying about us, be sure to visit our testimonials page.

To Be The Best, You Have to Provide The Best

When it comes to providing the best in solar panel installation v, our installation team is only half of the equation. While other solar energy companies may try to cut corners on the quality of their solar panels in order to provide a lower price point to their customers, we here at RGS Energy do not subscribe to this philosophy. Installing lesser quality solar panels, while cheaper in the beginning, will actually work to cost a homeowner more money in the long run. Substandard panels are not as efficient as high quality panels, meaning that they will not be able to convert as much solar energy into useable power. Additionally, cheaper panels require more maintenance and repairs and, in many cases, will need to be replaced at a much higher rate than their.

At RGS Energy, we only use the highest quality solar panels so that all of our customers can rest assured they are getting the most out of their investment into solar energy.

Ready for Solar? Start With These Steps

Choosing to go solar comes with a wealth of different benefits, but that does not make it any less weighty of a decision. If you and your family have been considering solar panel installation for your home, we applaud you for simply taking the first steps and learning more. The RGS Energy team has nearly 40 years of experience in solar panel systems, which means we have learned a thing or two about making the most of a solar array. Before you schedule your solar panel installation, here are a few things to check and a few ways you can prepare your home in order to get the most benefit possible from your solar power system.

Ensure Your Home Is Ready

First and foremost, you’ll want to be sure your home is ready to support your new solar array—and yes, we mean that literally. The supports that make up the under layers of your roof will be rated to hold up to a specific amount of weight, so it is important to check that your roof will be able to handle the additional pounds that a solar array add. Odds are good you will likely not know this on your own, so your RGS Energy team member can help you figure this out. While you are checking your roof, it may be a good idea to get a professional roofing inspection, particularly if your roof is on the older end of the spectrum. It will be easier to deal with any necessary roofing repairs or replacement before your solar panel array is installed, rather than needing to take everything down in a year or two later to fix a leak.

Improve Efficiency Measures

The number of solar panels needed to make up your home’s solar array will depend largely on how much energy your home uses. Of course, you won’t need to figure that out on your own; your Energy Broker will help you calculate expected usage over the coming years, an important factor since average energy usage rarely stays constant for multiple decades. However, one great way to ensure you get the most from your solar array in the long run is to improve your home’s overall efficiency. There are several layers to improving efficiency, so you can do as much or little as you choose. If you want to start small, upgrade any electronics (like your TVs, appliances, even holiday lights) to energy efficient options. Bigger energy efficiency updates can include replacing windows and insulation, upgrading your home’s electrical system, adding a smart thermostat, and so on. For further efficiency tips, try:

Financial Planning

We understand that planning for the financial side of things can be the biggest hurdle, in terms of finally getting your solar panel system. The widespread misconception is that a solar array is too costly for the average homeowner, but that is not the case! As technology has improved, the cost per watt for a solar array has dropped, while the cost of publicly available energy keeps rising. Of course, having a plan in place will help you make the most of your solar array. The RGS Energy team is happy to work with you to create the right payment plan for your needs, whether you are paying up front or interested in a solar panel loan. Both options have their benefits, so feel free to ask all the questions you need.

Finding Solar Incentives

One key element to the financial side of things is the array of solar incentives available. The State of California alone offers several tax breaks and other incentives to encourage California residents to make the move to solar. On top of that, there are local and federal solar incentives, as well as grants and other privately funded benefits. Since RGS Energy has been in the solar business nearly 40 years, we have learned how to navigate the ever-evolving incentives. We also provide professional solar panel installation so your array will be up to code and help you meet eligibility requirements for more incentives. Let us help you find every tax break, grant, and incentive you are eligible for!

Get prepared to get solar with the RGS Energy team!

RGS Energy got its start in 1978 as Real Goods, a sustainable living store in Northern California that sold some of the first retail solar panels in the United States.

The Real Goods store still sells sustainable living products but now – as RGS Energy – we bring clean energy solutions straight to your home with expert solar panel installations that reduce the cost of your electricity. We serve much of California, from Mendocino County through the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, Fresno and the Central Valley, and south to the Los Angeles Basin and Inland Empire.

Breaking Down the Financials: Payment Options

Back when solar technology was first becoming publicly available in the 1970s (and when RGS Energy got our start), a solar array could be pretty pricey. In the late ‘70s, a solar power system cost around $100 per watt; today, that number is down to around $5 per watt, and generally comes with a larger solar array. Add in the numerous solar incentives available, and a solar panel system is a great deal more affordable that it has ever been. Ultimately, the more people who choose to go solar, the better it is for our environment, so RGS Energy is doing our part to help more households implement solar energy options. To that end, our team is happy to work with you and find the right payment option to get you set up with solar sooner. Whether you plan to purchase your solar array up front or you wish to take out a loan, our team is happy to walk you through all of your options. Before you decide which payment option is best, compare the perks below.

When it comes to payment options, there is no right or wrong answer; the best answer is whichever payment option best fits your individual needs. The RGS Energy team is happy to answer any questions you might have, sort out all the details to create the right solar array for your home’s needs, and develop the right payment option for you. We’ll even help you find and apply for financial incentives to help offset the cost as much as possible. Our end goal is to make solar power accessible to anyone who wants to make the switch, so contact the RGS Energy team to learn more!

Finding California Solar Incentives

As the state level, California is dedicated to promoting renewable energy, which means that there are plenty of statewide tax breaks and other financial benefits to help you along your way to getting a solar power system installed on your home. In addition to California benefits, there are federal, local, and privately-funded options out there to further help you afford solar panel installation. The RGS team is committed to helping as many households as possible switch to solar, so we do our best to stay up on all the solar incentives available at any given time. Start with the below sources, or give our team a call to learn more about the various financial benefits you may be eligible for.

Federal

While federal tax incentives and benefits may change every so often, this is a great place to start when searching for ways to save on both residential and business solar panel installation. For the most up to date information, start by searching through Energy.gov to learn more about the federal credits and tax benefits. For example, the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a 30 percent credit for any solar panel system installed before the end of the year. Of course, if reading through all the qualifications and stipulations makes little sense, your RGS Energy Broker can break it all down and help you learn all you need to know about federal solar incentives.

California

Just as the federal incentives occasionally change, so do those solar benefits offered by the State of California. Visit the California Public Utilities Commission to learn more about the California Solar Initiative (CSI), the subprograms that fall under the CSI, and other renewable energy benefits. Go Solar California is another great resource through which you can learn more about state-funded benefits, grants, and so on. Of course, the RGS Energy team stays on top of as many benefit options as possible; we can help you sort through all of the state-provided benefits just as well as we can the federal.

Privately Funded, Etc.

On top of the federally and state funded solar programs, there are plenty of additional options to help you pay for that solar array. The privately-funded incentives will vary depending on things like location, income, payment plan, and so on. Because these additional resources are so varied and abundant, they can be harder to find. The RGS Energy team will be happy to help you find as many solar benefits and incentives as we can, and because we know our systems so well, we can even help you apply for those you are eligible for. Give us a call today and learn more about the various solar incentives you could qualify for if you choose to go solar!

We pride ourselves on being a community-minded solar service provider.

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